Does targeted and quantified control of the
microbiological environment within ICU, using staff trained in
microfibre cleaning & contamination bio load detection technology,
reduce colonization & healthcare acquired infection?
This project is headed by Dr Peter Wilson, Consultant
Microbiologist, University College London Hospitals. The project
draws together several streams of healthcare research at UCLH,
namely reduction of MRSA transmission, the antibacterial performance
of micro fibre cleaning technology, and the strategic challenges to
its use in the clinical environment.
The primary aim is to combine the practical and strategic
conclusions prompted by these research streams, roll them out in a
clinical ICU environment, and measure their impact on both
environmental contamination and healthcare-associated infection.
The secondary aim will be to analyse the impact (if any) of such
(bacterial) environmental control on hospital acquired infection.
Audit subjects will consist of all those patients needing ICU care
during the study period at UCLH and the Royal Free Hospitals. The
sample size will be >1000 independent environmental samples,
representing a 20% sample of bed areas, and 84 patient MRSA
acquisitions in UCLH and RFH. Patient colonisation, and nosocomial
infection status will be determined on a day-to-day basis in both
RFH and UCLH ICUs. Methods of working will include overt and covert
observation of all events know to be relevant to transmission of
infection, compliance with cleaning standard operating procedures,
environmental sampling, and recording of events of microbiological
relevance in the context of the study.
This project is now completed.
Extension to this study: Is the type of bed rail an important factor
in near patient cross infection?
The aim of this work is to establish the effect of surface
characteristics of common manufactures of bed rail on bacterial
transfer to and from staff and patient’s hands in the near patient
environment. This additional piece of work started in September 2008
and is due to complete in August 2009.
